Panther spikers down Fayette

Addisyn Bentley of Fayette prepares to hit during Monday’s match against visiting Delta. However, the Panthers would defeat the Eagles in three sets.

Randy Roberts | Fulton County Expositor

Sam Sedlacek of Delta goes up to the net for a spike Monday versus Fayette.

Randy Roberts | Fulton County Expositor

New Delta volleyball coach Dennis Walton had a victorious debut Monday night as the Panthers went to Fayette and swept the Eagles 25-18, 25-10, 25-16.

“It’s great that we had the opportunity to do that,” Walton said of starting the season with a sweep. “They (Delta) started out super slow, so we’ve got to clean that up.”

Delta needed a late run to grab the win in game one. Leading by two at 20-18 after hitting a ball into the net, the Panthers closed on a 5-0 run to win. Reagan Rouleau had a pair of kills in the run, plus Braelyn Wymer sandwiched aces around a Fayette timeout.

Delta kept that momentum in the second game. Forcing the Eagles to use both of their timeouts before the game was halfway done, the Panthers rolled to an 18-3 lead after an ace from Brooklyn Wymer. Three miscues by the Panthers late did cut the score to 22-11, however, kills from Abby Freeman and Brooklyn Wymer ended the second game.

“I loved the way we passed the ball,” stated Walton. “We were really solid on defense.”

Fayette battled back to stay in the third game. Three straight errors by Delta put the Eagles ahead 9-7, but the Eagles gave the points back on two balls hit out of play. Finally, three aces made the difference in an 8-0 run that put the Panthers ahead 20-11.

“Our servers really started serving it,” mentioned Walton. “We finally started running some plays and got some good swings. After you win the second one (game) like that, it’s tough to get going again in the third. Those are the ones that bite you.”

Trista Fruchey kept Fayette close by getting a pair of kills, but Delta traded points with the Eagles until one final Fayette error allowed the Panthers to finish with the 25-16 sweep.

Delta hosted Lake Tuesday where they fell in four sets. The Panthers play at Emmanuel Christian Thursday.

Fayette was swept at home against Edgerton Tuesday. They will open Buckeye Border Conference play Thursday at home with Edon.

Addisyn Bentley of Fayette prepares to hit during Monday’s match against visiting Delta. However, the Panthers would defeat the Eagles in three sets.

https://www.fcnews.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/45/2018/08/web1_Bentley-preparing-to-hit.jpgAddisyn Bentley of Fayette prepares to hit during Monday’s match against visiting Delta. However, the Panthers would defeat the Eagles in three sets. Randy Roberts | Fulton County Expositor

Sam Sedlacek of Delta goes up to the net for a spike Monday versus Fayette.

https://www.fcnews.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/45/2018/08/web1_Delta-12-v.-Fayette.jpgSam Sedlacek of Delta goes up to the net for a spike Monday versus Fayette. Randy Roberts | Fulton County Expositor